Name
Rou-Afza F. Gunput
Department Neuroscience and Pharmacology
Section Neurodevelopment
Function
PhD-student
E-mail: r.f.gunput@umcutrecht.nl
tel: +31-88 - 75 68036
Supervisor
Dr. R.J. Pasterkamp
Title research
In vivo analysis of vertebrate MICALs
Summary research
Mature brain function relies on the establishment of a precisely sculptured neuronal network. This network forms during embryonic development when neurons send out axons to their targets. Axons are guided along predescribed routes by attractive and repulsive cues in the extracellular environment. To help to find their way, axons are tipped with a highly motile and exquisitely sensitive structure, the growth cone. Receptor complexes at the growth cone cell surface detect guidance molecules and consequently trigger intracellular signaling cascades that infringe upon the cytoskeleton and induce growth cone/axon steering. During the past decade, a myriad of guidance cues and receptors has been characterized. In contrast, the intracellular signaling pathways involved in axon guidance are only poorly understood. A protein which could play a part in the signal transduction mechanism of semaphorins, MICAL, has recently been identified. However, the function of vertebrate MICALs in vivo is still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this research is to gain more insight in the molecular function and in vivo role of vertebrate MICALs.
Publications
Y. Zhou, R.F. Gunput, R.J. Pasterkamp
Semaphorin signaling: progress made and promises ahead.
Trends Biochem Sci. 2008 Apr;33(4):161-70.
L.C. Liefaard, R.F. Gunput, M. Danhof, R.A. Voskuyl
Decreased Efficacy of GABAA-receptor modulation by midazolam in the kainate model of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Epilepsia. 2007 Jul;48(7):1378-87. Epub 2007 Apr 18.